Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on his players to ease the burden captain Steven Gerrard has been carrying for more than a decade.

Over the years the 32-year-old has been the driving force in the Reds midfield, scoring crucial goals and producing performances which have dragged his side through some important games.

He has found the net just three times this season - though his two in the league make him joint second highest-scorer with own goals - and has yet to reproduce his best form but Rodgers believes it is time some of his team-mates helped out more.

"He's carried this club for nearly 13 years and it's about time that there was more than Steven picking up the baton of responsibility," said the Northern Irishman.

"He's been brilliant since I arrived here. His inspiration and leadership within the team has been phenomenal.

"He might not have got the goals that he wanted this season, but you saw him last night (in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham) - his range of passing, commitment and drive into the box was superb.

"He has been judged on his goals because he's been a goalscoring midfielder over the years, but he's still offering this group so much on and off the field.

"There are others that we want to step up to the plate and get the goals.